commercial vehicle insurance « VanQuoteDirect

Archive for the ‘commercial vehicle insurance’ Category

Satnav Summit Being Held Today

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

If you’re reading this blog you probably have an interest in the world of motoring and commercial vehicles and today a “Satnav Summit” is taking place in order to come to a solution regarding the misery that thousands of satellite navigation users face each and every day when they’re directed off track by out of date, or just simply wrong, directions.

I myself am a regular satnav user and I sympathise with all those who have been misled over the years. My satnav regularly attempts to take me down roads that do not exist which can be an incredibly frustrating ordeal, particularly when driving somewhere I’ve never been before.

Today’s Summit

The summit is taking place today at the Department for Transport and it involves the highway authorities, mapping providers and satnav manufacturers. The summit is also being chaired by the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transportation (ADEPT) and ITS (UK) which promotes intelligent transport technology.

It has been revealed that the summit will look to incorporate local conditions and whether it will be possible to unlock local authority information on parking availability and possible roadwork’s being carried out. By directing traffic away from roadworks a lot of time can be saved for motorists which can only be a good thing, especially if you’re on your way to work, or to an important job as a commercial vehicle driver.

It is no surprise that many accidents have been caused by misguided directions from satnav’s. Hopefully, with the improvements that should come out of today’s summit, less people will have to claim on their commercial vehicle insurance in the future as a direct result of frustration caused by satnavs or wrong directions issued by satnavs.

Transport Minister Explains Further Plans

Furthermore, Norman Baker, the Local Transport Minister, has been explaining: “Out of date directions mean misdirected traffic – a scourge of local communities. I am pleased that highway authorities, mapping companies and satnav manufacturers have agreed to work more closely to provide drivers with accurate, up-to-date information on traffic restrictions such as narrow roads or low bridges.”

He also added: “This is timely because from next month we are allowing local authorities to reclassify roads – ensuring A roads are placed where they want traffic to run and lowering the category of road in places they want traffic to avoid – rather than having to come to Whitehall for approval. These powers will help councils make sure that drivers are using suitable routes.”

Have you ever had a satnav related mishap? Or been led up the wrong street by it?

Tags: commercial vehicle insurance, Safety, Satnav Summit, Satnavs
Posted in commercial vehicle insurance | No Comments »

The European LEZ

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012

It seems like the van market is forever evolving with new models coming out on a weekly basis. This is exactly the sort of thing we love here at VanQuoteDirect as it encourages the market to continue growing and also encourages further competition between manufacturers, which again will encourage the market to keep on the upward trend.

The LEZ Impact

We have previously blogged about the current van market and how it has boomed in recent months and years and this year we are all very much expecting to see further increases in the number of sales as the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) has become more stringent which has meant that many van drivers will have upgraded their van.

So far the only city in the UK that has implemented the LEZ is London, however, there are plans for Oxford and Norwich to adopt the LEZ in the coming weeks, months and even years. We’ve talked a lot about the LEZ in the UK, but what about Europe? Many van drivers make trips to mainland Europe for a whole variety of reasons and services, yet we have not, on this very blog, outlined the main areas in Europe where the LEZ is enforced. Furthermore, if you are going to be making a trip into mainland Europe, it will be worth checking your commercial vehicle insurance policy to make sure you are covered for European driving.

European Locations

The LEZ doesn’t appear to be in place yet in France or Spain, however it has been implemented throughout much of the rest of Central Europe.

The closest large city to home that has implemented the LEZ is Amsterdam, Netherlands. Other notable Dutch cities to have enforced the LEZ are Rotterdam and Eindhoven.

Germany, due to its greater size, has rather more areas where the LEZ has been enforced. These include Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Dortmund, Hannover and Stuttgart amongst several other German cities and towns. Italy is another European mainland country with a stringent and diverse spread of low emission zones. Cities include Rome, Pisa, Bologna and Livorno amongst many others.

Those of you that envisage driving in and around Europe may well have already come across such zones; however it is certainly worth being aware of them if you are planning on embarking on another trip to Europe.

Are you yet to come across these low emission zones? Have they affected you both here in the UK and abroad?

Tags: commercial vehicle insurance, European LEZ, LEZ, Low Emission Zone
Posted in commercial vehicle insurance | No Comments »

Fiat Ducato Tecnico

Monday, February 27th, 2012

Fiat are to offer a new special series Ducato Tecnico van which will be largely based on the Ducato 35. However, this new van will come with a whole range of added gadgetry in order to dazzle prospective owners. With the LEZ also having a bearing on commercial vehicle owners, many may be looking to upgrade their van. Will this new Fiat be the perfect choice?

Gadgets

The new Ducato will come complete with new manual air conditioning, front fog lights, Blue&Me with controls on the steering wheel, eco:Drive Professional telematics software, a TomTom sat nav, Start&Stop, special wheel trims and reverse parking sensors. All this fantastic kit comes as standard!

With so many more gadgets freely available in the Ducato Tecnico, a commercial van insurance quote will be all the more important!

Engine and Price

The Ducato will come with the 2.3 litre, 130bhp peach of an engine that the original Ducato 35 is fitted with, which provides more than enough grunt and power for hauling heavy goods around and a six speed manual gearbox for making your way up and down motorways. The van will also offer a long-wheelbase and high roof.

The Ducato Tecnico will begin at a promotional price of £16,995 OTR, excluding VAT, which is truly fantastic value! This price will offer potential customers a 26% price advantage over the normal price of standard specification versions, which is sure to be a great incentive for those that are looking to upgrade their van.

Fancy One?

Furthermore, the proud Director of the Fiat Professional UK group, Sebastiano Fedrigo, has been explaining: “In these times when customers are seeking out extra value in their purchasing decisions, the new special series Ducato Tecnico provides customers with great value for money and also with the perfect business van to meet their requirements.”

The new Ducato Tecnico certainly looks good on paper and the price, for what you get, is also quite remarkable. Fiat are confident the van will absolutely fly off the forecourts and showrooms and, when considering how much van you get for such little money, it is not surprising why!

Will you be snapping up the new Ducato Tecnico?

Tags: commercial van insurance, Fiat, Fiat Ducato Tecnico
Posted in Van Insurance, commercial vehicle insurance | No Comments »

A New Transit To Be Unveiled in March

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

Talk about good timing, last week we were singing the praises of the Ford Transit and this week it was announced that a new commercial van from Ford will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show next month. The Ford Tourneo Custom Concept is to premiere in Switzerland and it will offer a glimpse of what the next generation Ford Transit will look like.

New Styling

The new model has been styled in the same way as the current Ford car range with the “Kinetic Design” philosophy Ford has adopted recently. And it basically means the new Transit will look less like a normal, everyday, van.

Furthermore, upon moving inside the Tourneo Custom Concept, it is evident to see that changes here have been made too. There is leather upholstery and a sculpted, driver focused, instrument panel similar to the one that can be found in recent Focus models. It would seem that Ford are trying to make the most popular van in the world even more driver friendly!

New Technology

The new van will also come with ECOnetic fuel saving technology. This will greatly reduce emissions and Ford hope that they will become the class leader in terms of fuel efficiency and economy. This, of course, would be a huge feat and a massive selling point for what is already sure to be an extremely popular choice for future van drivers. With such economical features being implemented the new Transit is also sure to save money on commercial vehicle insurance, which again will be a selling point in this day and age as we all attempt to save money wherever possible.

As you can imagine, due to the fact that the Tourneo Custom Concept is only a concept model, there are very few actual details about what the next generation Transit will include. However, more is sure to be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March and we will be on hand to deliver the best news and views from the event.

Will the next generation Transit dominate the future van market? We have a sneaky suspicion it might…What do you think though? Let us know by commenting below.

Tags: commercial vehicle insurance, Ford, Ford Tourneo Custom Concept, Ford Transit, Geneva Motor Show
Posted in commercial vehicle insurance | No Comments »

Citroen Dispatch, Dispatched

Monday, February 13th, 2012

Citroen vans are much loved on this blog, as are most vans, and the French company has now expanded their light commercial vehicle range by launching the all new Dispatch Crew Van. This new van is to be part of the Business Class programme.

Stats

The Dispatch is powered by a 123bhp HDi engine and comes fitted with a six speed manual gearbox. The Crew Van will emit 179g/km of CO2 and Citroen have claimed it will achieve an economy of 41.5mpg. Impressive economy indeed from what is sure to be a good, honest van. Such great economy is also likely to save owners on their fuel bills, as well as hopefully driving down the cost of commercial vehicle insurance.

The Crew Van also offers six seat transport for companies and those that require it. Taxi firms, for example, may indeed take advantage of the Crew Van in coming weeks and months.

Clever Spatial Awareness

The Dispatch will also offer twin sliding side loading doors and a very clever use of space which has resulted in the Dispatch being able to afford plenty of carry space for, not only people, but equipment too. Beneath the rear bench there is a 310mm deep x 1,100mm wide gap which gives a maximum floor length of 2,110mm in the rear load compartment. The main load area is also 1,700mm long. Therefore, there is certainly plenty of space in the rear of the clever van.

CV Efficiency

Scott Michael, the Commercial Vehicle Operations Manager at Citroen, has been commenting on the efficiency of the van: “Duty of care considerations and rising fuel prices are among the key reasons why businesses are increasingly specifying crew vans. With its combination of 1,067kg payload, six seats and a large load compartment, the Dispatch Crew Van meets most operator needs in this growing LCV market sector.”

He then added: “Most importantly, as the Dispatch Crew Van has a payload of over 1,000kg, it is possible for VAT-registered business customers to reclaim the VAT paid on the vehicle.”

The new Citroen is sure to be popular amongst individuals and businesses, and Citroen will look forward to seeing an influx of sales for their fantastic new van.

Will you be turning to a new Dispatch?

Tags: Citroen, Citroen Dispatch, Citroen Dispatch Crew Van, commercial vehicle insurance, Efficiency
Posted in commercial vehicle insurance | No Comments »

It’s a Snowy UK Today

Friday, February 10th, 2012

So, it’s snowed yet again these past two days and there is more snow forecast next week too. Much of the UK will therefore be covered in snow, which will inevitably lead to icy and dangerous roads. The chance of many commercial vehicle drivers experiencing disruption or heavy traffic jams at such times is therefore quite high, and it will be very important to take care on the roads during such times.

Black Ice

For many van drivers, their vehicle is, in some respects, their office, so it will be crucial to drive carefully to avoid damaging it! Over recent weeks, the snowy UK has seen commercial van insurance claims increase, along with general vehicle insurance claims too as many drivers are caught out by unseen black ice caused by freezing temperatures.

Simply driving through small high streets it is clear to see that cars have been abandoned and, in some cases, badly damaged during the snow storms due to drivers sliding off the roads. Many vehicles have also broken down and the AA and RAC have recorded a very high number of call outs during the blustery, snowy weather.

Authorities have been gritting and salting roads up and down the country, with some 500 tonnes of the stuff being scattered throughout the UK’s capital alone overnight and on my way to work this morning, I personally had no trouble once I was on the main roads. There was, however, black ice present on the quieter side streets.

Snow Differs From Area to Area

As the day has gone on the snow, from where I’m sitting has thawed quite quickly, however, in many parts of the UK this is unlikely to be the case. What’s it like where you are?

Hopefully next week’s flurry of snow will only be a small one that will cause minimum disruption for those that need to be out on the roads plying their trade.

Tags: AA, commercial vehicle insurance, Icy Roads, RAC, Snow, vehicle insurance, weather
Posted in commercial vehicle insurance | No Comments »

Diesel Particulate Filters and Vans

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

As you may have read in the news today, van drivers may soon find themselves having to fork out rather large expenses as a result of diesel particulate filters becoming clogged up during rather short distance journeys. Diesel particulate filters will need to be fitted to vans in order to comply with Euro 5 emissions regulations that are being implemented.

So, what is a diesel particulate filter?

A diesel particulate filter acts as a reducing agent within the exhaust system of a diesel vehicle. Most diesels will produce smoke under heavy load and thus produce a large amount of pollutants. The diesel particulate filter basically acts as a sieve to decrease the amount of pollutants that are expelled by the diesel engine. Pollutants from diesel engines are known as “particulate matter”. Of course, this is not the only pollutant, however, others are in such low volume when compared to petrol engines that they are not classed as significant.

It’s a clever little system then!

Problems

However, there are a number of problems with diesel particulate filters. Gradually they get clogged up with so much particulate matter that the engine’s efficiency reduces, along with the performance of the vehicle. Imagine breathing through a straw with cotton wool jammed up it! Tough stuff indeed. When this occurs, a diesel particulate filter needs to be replaced, which, as you will be well aware by now, is very expensive. This on top of other van costs, such as general maintenance and commercial vehicle insurance, can lead to mounting costs for van drivers.

Managing a diesel particulate filter can also be a hassle. Many companies advise owners to keep the engine above 2,500 rpm for a time period of around 20 minutes. This will enable the filter to reach its operating temperature in order to then burn off any particulate matter. This therefore stops the filter clogging up. However, this can only really be achieved on motorway journeys, and if you only travel short distances within a city or around towns then it may be the case that you will not need to venture onto a motorway. Maybe commit to taking your van on a motorway once every month in your spare time?! You should find it helps!

Good Points

There are however a number of good points regarding diesel particulate filters. They are effective, and in modern diesels, they do help to reduce emissions enough to warrant the lower tax bands. Furthermore, modern diesel engines, through significant improvements in fuel quality, calibration and quality control in production, are becoming the benchmark.

Tags: commercial van insurance, Costs, Diesel, Diesel Particulate Filter, DPF
Posted in commercial vehicle insurance | No Comments »

Choosing the Right Van for You

Monday, January 30th, 2012

If you are thinking about getting a new van, there are a few considerations to take into account. Here are a few tips from VanQuoteDirect:

Use the internet

The first step would be to scour the internet for the best vans around, you’ll soon dig up praises (or complaints) about different vehicles. The make & manufacturer of the van can be an important factor for some people. Some people can be loyal to a certain manufacturer, which is understandable if their past vans have been very reliable.

Costs

The next step would be to make sure you are getting the best for your money. Some things to consider include if you or your company afford this van, would you want a brand new van or a second hand one?

The costs of running a van can differ with everything from breakdown cover, commercial van insurance and fuel efficiency, which can be very daunting, especially if it’s the first van you’ll be buying. The figures for all new vans for sales can be found via the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) database, which tells you information regarding commercial vehicles fuel consumption.

Safety

Safety and security is another factor to think about when investing in a new van. High security can lower your insurance premiums and is vital for safeguarding your van and equipment or tools it contains.

These are just a few hints from us. Good luck with your van search and please get in touch if you have any more useful tips for us!

Tags: Buying a new van, commercial van insurance, Hints, Tips, VanQuoteDirect, vans
Posted in Van Insurance, commercial vehicle insurance | No Comments »

Hydrogen Fuels Could be a Success for the UK

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

Hydrogen powered vehicles are now looking increasingly likely, especially in the commercial vehicle sector. Hydrogen commercial vehicles would slash pollution and emissions by an incredible amount and I personally think this could be by far and away the best alternative fuel yet!

Hydrogen Project

The government has launched a new project which is intended to assess the potential of hydrogen as a fuel source, and if the project emerges to be a success then a finished hydrogen fuel product could be rolled out for 2014 onwards, and we will then quickly see more and more hydrogen powered vans on our streets amongst other hydrogen powered vehicles.

Imagine a hydrogen powered bus, for example. If one in five buses in London alone were powered by hydrogen then emissions would be reduced massively which would be fantastic news for the environment of course.

Analysis and Assessment

The government’s project is also intended to analyse the viability of developing sufficient infrastructure in order to incorporate refuelling points for hydrogen powered vehicles and to assess the economic benefits the country on the whole could gain from using the gas as an alternative fuel. It could, for a start, lower commercial vehicle insurance quotes.

Mark Prisk, Business Minister, has been commenting that the UK could become a key market for low-carbon vehicles, and he was quoted saying: “Hydrogen vehicles are increasingly being recognised as one of the viable options as we move to a lower carbon motoring future. It is vitally important that we identify what is required to make these cars a realistic proposition for UK consumers.” The difficulty it would seem is not in harnessing the fuel, but perhaps in building the correct facilities for it to be distributed nationwide.

Backing for the Project

Meanwhile, the initiative to move to commercial hydrogen vehicles has been backed by a number of gas, infrastructure and utility companies in the UK. The new initiative to launch hydrogen vehicles has been named UKH2Mobility and will also research how jobs can be created by the move into hydrogen fuels. Jerry Hardcastle, Head of Design at Nissan, has been explaining: “Hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles…could represent a large segment of the UK market in the coming years.” It would indeed be brilliant if thousands of jobs were created by the new plans, especially at a time when unemployment has been on the rise!

Hydrogen fuels, it seems, will not only be a great achievement for the environment, but for the UK economy too!

Tags: Alternative Fuels, commercial vehicle insurance, Government, Hydrogen Fuel
Posted in Alternative Fuel, commercial vehicle insurance | No Comments »

London Emission Rules Hit Drivers

Friday, January 13th, 2012

Commercial vehicles that were registered before October 2006, including motor caravans, lorries, horseboxes and vans will be effected by the changes to the London emission rules, which means they have to pay a fee of £100 per day to drive in Greater London, any time of the day or evening.

All these vehicles will have to fit filters that can cost up to £3,500 as well as undergoing a £32 annual inspection by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, not forgetting yearly MOT checks and the cost of commercial vehicle insurance and fuel.

The Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras covering the whole of Greater London will help enforce the low emission zone.

The cameras will identify the vehicles by cross checking with the VOSA database and confirm whether a filter has been fitted. If the daily charge has not been paid then drivers will face a £500 fine.

Improving the Air

The new low emission plans hope to improve air quality in Greater London.

Even though the plans are being supported by environmentalists, there are concerns among small businesses and voluntary groups.

Many sports clubs and church groups around London rely on minibuses, for example the London Football Association.

A spokesman said, “Transport is already one of the greatest obstacles to participation particularly in London and the low emission law will create an even bigger challenge,”

“We are working hard with teams and leagues across London to try and find ways around this, but in the current economic climate this is and will prove to be a massive struggle.”

The senior development manager for the Federation of Small Businesses, Matthew Jaffa, warned the changes will have a big impact.

“Some of our members are still unsure of the changes. Many feel that their vehicles do comply with the standards but are still being told to retrofit the filters.

“It will also affect small businesses in Kent and Essex. Many have said that they will no longer be able to service London.

“In the year of the Olympics London is supposed to be open for businesses, but the opposite seems to be the case.”

The Mayor’s Director for the Environment, Kulveer Ranger, defended the zone. He said, “The Mayor wants to deliver cleaner air for London to tackle the legacy he inherited, which poses a serious health threat to many especially the most vulnerable in our city,

“The changes to the Low Emission Zone standards will broadly double the impact of the existing scheme. They will be coupled with an unprecedented wider package of measures set to be implemented at this time to improve the capital’s air quality.

“In a historic year for this city, when the eye’s of the world are focused on London, it is right that we are demanding the highest environmental standards and a higher quality of life for Londoners.”

Transport for London said that if drivers could prove that they had ordered the necessary filtering equipment before 3rd January, they would not be penalised.

Tags: commercial vehicle insurance, Filters, London, London low emissions zone, Pollution, van drivers
Posted in commercial vehicle insurance | No Comments »